Job Tips for MACO Graduates Alumni Profiles | Job Tips | Social Work Jobs | License Info | Videos Before You Start Your Job Search 1. Think carefully about the features of your ideal job. Remember this is your FIRST job after graduation; it is not a job you will have for the rest of your career. Most MSW graduates stay in their first job for 1-3 years. Think about this job as your next step.
2. Make a list of the attributes you are seeking in a job – professional and practical. Divide them into 3 parts: (a) Must haves; (b) Important but negotiable; (c) Would be nice.
3. Make a list of the names and addresses of potential networking contacts you have met through employment, school, internship, friendships, family, etc. Indicate how each person on the list could assist you in your search.
4. Update and revise your resume. Seek help from faculty, mentors, supervisors, etc. If you have multiple career interests, modify your resume for each interest. Emphasize your skills and accomplishments (concisely) on your resume.
5. Draft a sample cover letter. You will modify this for each job to which you apply.
6. Identify several writing samples from your previous work which you could send to potential employers if requested. Those which are most like “real world” pieces (i.e., not term papers) are best.
7. Identify a short list (3-5) of potential references and ask them if they would be willing to serve as a reference for you. Do not use friends or family members. Try to select references who can speak to different aspects of your experience and different skills.
8. Develop a list of potential places to look for jobs, including newspapers, professional publications, and web sites. Initiating Your Search 1. Schedule informational interviews with contacts on your network list. Ask people whose careers you would like to emulate how they got to their current position. Find out what particular skills they are looking for, what are the growth/learning opportunities available in specific organizations, etc. Try to leave each interview with the name of at least one additional contact.
2. Don’t limit your search to jobs that advertise for “social workers.” Most of the MACO jobs are not listed that way. Look for jobs in specific issue areas or fields of practice in which you are interested. Look for jobs that emphasize community work, administration, program development, policy work, etc. depending on your interests.
3. Don’t limit your search to traditional social service agencies. Look at government sites, foundations, large corporations (some even have community service positions), and non-social service nonprofits (e.g., museums and other cultural institutions). Think creatively as to how you could frame your background, skills, and interests to their needs. The Application Process 1. Do not take a “shotgun approach” to a job search. This will take a great deal of time and will not prove fruitful. It is okay to send out letters to organizations which have not (yet) advertised a position, but do this selectively.
2. When you apply for a position, tailor your cover letter to the mission and goals of the organization (do some background research), and to the specific roles of the position. Do not be modest – you must “sell yourself” to the employer, as long as you are honest. Remember, the purpose of the cover letter is to get the employer to read your resume carefully and to pique his/her interest in you sufficiently to invite you for an interview.
3. After 10 days or so, it is fine to follow up on your letter with a phone call inquiring as to whether it was received.
4. If you are invited for an interview, prepare for it carefully. Think about the type of questions you might be asked and how you would answer them. Think about how you would link your experience to the job description and your interests to the agency’s mission.
5. Dress professionally for the interview. The key is NOT to make your appearance the issue. You, your skills, and your accomplishments should be the focus, not how you look.
6. It is highly unlikely that the specifics of the job (e.g., salary) will be discussed at an initial interview. Do not bring up these issues unless they are raised by the interviewer. If you are asked about your desired salary, be prepared to respond without hesitation. (This is where prior research is useful.)
7. At the end of the interview, it is appropriate to ask what the next steps are in the organization’s hiring process. Be sure to thank those who interview you. After the Interview 1. It is always good to debrief the interview with a friend, family member, faculty advisor, or mentor. Try to identify what you did well and where you could improve. Remember, most interviews follow similar patterns, so you can learn from your experiences. That is, even an unsuccessful interview can have its benefits.
2. Write a brief thank you note to the persons who interviewed you. If you are not selected for the position, it may help them keep you in mind for other jobs in the future.
3. If you are invited back for a 2nd interview, it will probably be more specifically focused on the position and you may be asked to prepare something in advance. Be sure to give this preparation sufficient time.
4. At the 2nd or (in some cases) 3rd interview, if you are offered the position, you will discuss salary, etc. You should do some research about the organization to determine what benefits exist. These may include educational benefits, retirement, and a “cafeteria-style” package of health benefits, etc. Do not be shy about asking for a decent salary. You won’t have another opportunity to negotiate.
5. In making a determination about whether to accept a job offer, consider: (a) Is this a job which will provide me with opportunities to learn, grow, and be promoted? (b) Will I receive good supervision and/or mentoring? (c) Can I live on the salary being offered? (d) Is the mission and work of the organization consistent with my values? (e) Does the organizational culture provide a healthy environment in which to work? (f) Will I have good colleagues? (g) How will this job position me for future career moves in terms of job skills and knowledge acquired, contacts, etc.?
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